Hebrews 9:1-10

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. ²A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. ³Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ⁴which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. ⁵Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. ⁶When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. ⁷But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. ⁸The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. ⁹This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. ¹⁰They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order. 

What the writer to the Hebrews has to say in encouragement and warnings is just as relevant for us today as it was for the worshipers of the early church.

He was aware that because of persecution by the Roman authorities many Jewish Christians were “falling away” from the teachings of Jesus and were reverting back to the rituals of Judaism. He encourages them to “stand firm“ in their belief.

Here in chapter 9 he gives a description of the earthly tabernacle made by human hands. It was indeed an impressive building with rich furnishings, the materials used for crafting its contents, bronze, acacia wood and pure gold. However, his concern is not for the building. He wants the reader to consider what this earthly tabernacle offered them. The priests and high priest carried out their rituals day by day, year by year: priestly washings, animal sacrifices for blood offerings, the lighting of candles, the burning of incense, etc. Once a year on the Day of Atonement (Jom Kippur) the high priest would enter the holy of holies and sacrifice a goat, whose blood he offered for his own sins and the sins of the people. How effective could these rituals be if they had to be repeated? Could they remove a man’s sins forever? Did they not just remind the people how sinful they were?

The writer tells them to recognize what the Holy Spirit was showing them. As long as the Mosaic system, the old order, was continued with its imperfect priesthood and practices, the sins of the people were not dealt with effectively.

They are to fix their eyes on Jesus. He is the mediator of the new order, or new covenant. He is perfect, sinless and offers himself as the sacrificial lamb. He takes on the sins of the world by shedding his own blood.

His atoning death, resurrection and ascension have opened the way into the true heavenly sanctuary (or tabernacle) of God’s presence. We are offered eternal life through our faith and belief in him.

So let us stand firm and hold fast to what we have heard and fix our eyes on Jesus.

Prayer: We thank you merciful God for your love and grace in sending your Son Jesus Christ to save us from sin and death.